Dawn lit the eastern sky in a palate of red and orange as we sailed south from Isla San Francisco on approach to Los Islotes. These small islets form the northernmost tip of Isla Espiritu Santo Natural Marine Park, our destination for the first half of the day.
Made of ancient and durable welded volcanic tuff, Los Islotes stand alone north of Isla Partida. Their isolation from the mainland and larger islands makes them a safe place for wildlife. During expedition landing craft tours around the islets with the naturalist staff we saw adult and juvenile California sea lions hauled out and resting and even a mother nursing newborn. While some males were present, the largest breeding males are still feeding out in the mid-gulf and are not due for another month or two.
After the ride around Los Islotes everyone donned snorkeling gear and slipped into the clear water to snorkel with juvenile sea lions. Like agile darts these pinnipeds used their front flippers to swim circles around snorkelers. Fast enough to outrun any fish they are truly the acrobats of the sea.
After lunch we sailed to the southern tip of Isla Espiritu Santo where we spent our last afternoon taking long walks on the beach, exploring desert plants, and combing over tidepools looking for aquatic treasures.
It has been a wonderful voyage. We have seen Baja and the Sea of Cortez in all its moods and been treated to fabulous wildlife, water, and wilderness. Each of us will carry home a little piece if Mexico in our hearts.
